Is there NFL talent on 2024 roster?

[donniesyracuse]

Yep, will be a TO type of across the middle slashing target to keep the LBs honest, like Michael Irvin, the midgets from New England for Brady and Michael Evans from Tampa Bay. Toughness required

Little people

 

[steve deberg]

We're are on the bye this week, which means there is no Cuse game for me to wildly speculate about this weekend.

So instead I'll revisit this thread and make wild NFL Draft extrapolations based on a two game sample size.

Now that we've had a Spring Camp, Fall Camp, and two meaningful football games against what look like solid bowl teams, here are my thoughts on the likely NFL talent on the current roster.

QB:

• Kyle McCord: Seems like a no brainer that he'll get drafted, how early is what's yet to be seen.

RB:

• LeQuint Allen:Excellent college RB who can do it all - run inside and outside the tackles, run routes and catch passes, and effectively pass block. He will definitely got a shot in the NFL, and I hope it's as a draft pick and not as an UDFA. If he is an UDFA, it will be more of a reflection on how the NFL views the RB commodity than a reflection of his talents.
• Yasin Willis: He hasn't had to play much yet in our games, but I think we all saw enough in the Spring Game to know this kid is going to play in the NFL.

WR:

• Trebor Pena: Versatile and hard working player who is obviously off to an amazing start. If he keeps up the yardage production (his 24 TD pace is not sustainable), he is on pace for ~1000 yards over 12 games. I know the NFL drafts on measurables, but I'm hoping a 1000 yards and 10+ TDs on a 9+ win Syracuse team might show enough production and intangibles to get him drafted. I mean, 5'10 Hunter Renfrow went in the 5th round in 2019.
• Justus Ross-Simmons, Zeed Haynes, and Emanuel Ross: Looks/ sounds like they all have the goods to play at the next level, but either due to injuries or youth we haven't seen enough of them for me to feel confident that they'll get there.

TE:

• Ordone Gadsden: Another no brainer. Dude is a first or second day pick for sure.

OL:

• Da'Metrius Weatherspoon: Kid has been awesome, especially in pass protection. Definitely looks like an NFL draft pick.
• J'Onre Reed: Has true centre size and great strength and athleticism. Not sure if he's a draft pick or a UDFA, but I think this guy makes it.

DL:

• Fadil Diggs: Yet another no brainer. Dude looks like a first or second day pick also.
• Dion Wilson: I know it's a small sample size, but the dude looks like he has the frame and athleticism to play in the NFL. Seems like every year there are 10-15 UDFA DL who make 53 man rosters across the NFL. I think at the very least, this kid will be one of them.

LB:

• Marlowe Wax: I thought Mikel Jones was a lock to play in the NFL, but so far he's just bounced around practice squads and hasn't stuck with a team for long. His situation gives me pause with Marlowe. I think Wax is an NFL player, but off ball LBs really are the RBs of the defence - commodities. Hopefully he can come back healthy and end the season strong.

DB:

• Justin Barron: Hasn't had the best start to the season, and I chalk that up to playing a lynchpin role in a new scheme. He has the size and athleticism to play in the NFL, but is undoubtedly a bit of a tweener. I think he finishes the season strong and there is a team out there that thinks they can maximize his unique skill set.
• Alijah Clark: I think he definitely gets a fair shot in the NFL, although it might be as an UDFA.
• Marcellus Barnes: Kid looks like the real deal and seems destined to be a high draft pick in the 2027 Draft.

So for the 2025 NFL Draft, I think there are three locks to be drafted in the first 1-3 rounds (Diggs, Gadsden, and McCord), and another 3-5 guys who get drafted in later rounds.

This was a great use of time.

Is Stanford in town yet?

 

[CanadianSU]

Don’t wanna get ahead of myself here but we could have two guys in the first two rounds.

I just got ahead of myself.

 

[Idiocuse22&]

Oronde and Mccord are 1st or 2nd round locks. Allen I view similar to Zaire in that they are uncuttable and will flourish with opportunity. He adds value beyond results on the field. Also, he at least is an ideal pass catcher/protector on 3rd downs. Id want him on my NFL team as 2nd or 3rd back+STs.

 

[Trueblue25]

Oronde day 1, and god I hope its to Miami

 

[Newhouser]

Oronde goes high, Diggs & McCord a little after him. I don't see LQA or Wax ever cashing an NFL check. Other than that too early to tell.

 

[Tony DeFranco]

The way the NFL is played - I have a hard time believing Allen will not make it - he's one of our best receivers - he fits the role of Samuels - he is the ideal 3rd down back

 

[Tony DeFranco]

If Diggs doesn't make it in the NFL he should turn pro in bodybuilding

 

[FrancoPizza]

There is a lot of talent on this team. Probably the most talented team we’ve had in 20 or so years. I’m not going to list any of the true freshman because they haven’t played a down of college ball yet but we know the freshman class is the most talented we’ve had in also probably 20+ years. So good bet we’ll have a few draftee from that class. But just going off transfers and current players from last years team. These are the players likely to get drafted/on NFL radars.

Gadsden
McCord
Laquint Allen
Diggs
Wax
Clark
Barron
Devin Grant
Nwokocha
Duce
McDonald
Jobity
Jaquez

Not saying all these guys get drafted but they have the most potential too and are likely on draft radars. Now a few guys definitely have potential like:

Enrique Cruz
David W
Hastings
Reed
Dion Wilson
Zeed
And obviously a few of the younger guys but they obviously have more to prove at this point

McDonald and Duce are not sniffing a pro career.

 

[baggerbob]

The way the NFL is played - I have a hard time believing Allen will not make it - he's one of our best receivers - he fits the role of Samuels - he is the ideal 3rd down back

When a running back can block and catch like Allen there is a spot on most NFL rosters.

 

[JuiceMeUp]

Oronde goes high, Diggs & McCord a little after him. I don't see LQA or Wax ever cashing an NFL check. Other than that too early to tell.

Wax no chance unfortunately (would LOVE to be wrong)...LeQuint with his length and receiving upside I could see getting a chance. Reminds me of a slower Antonio Gibson.

 

[MikeSU02]

Oronde goes high, Diggs & McCord a little after him. I don't see LQA or Wax ever cashing an NFL check. Other than that too early to tell.

Exactly this.

There is no way we are putting like 8 guys in the NFL via the draft this year. The teams that did that number or more last year were: Mich, Texas, Bama, FSU, Wash, UGA, PSU and Oregon. We aren't touching that this year. If you include 7 guys, it was USC and ND. 6 was LSU, Mizzou and Clemson.

I would not bet on Barron, Wax or LQA. Some guys are TBD down the line (like Willis, for instance) that I def think could land in the NFL. And I do think we'll keep getting guys in the NFL.

But for this year, I'm betting on OG, McCord and Diggs. I'm sure one or two more guys may get a late round look? But I wouldn't bet on it.

That is not a knock on this team. There is college talent and then there are guys where their talent translates to the NFL. I think we have a lot of college talent that can translate to a lot of wins this year. A lot.

 

[Orangezoo]

Exactly this.

There is no way we are putting like 8 guys in the NFL via the draft this year. The teams that did that number or more last year were: Mich, Texas, Bama, FSU, Wash, UGA, PSU and Oregon. We aren't touching that this year. If you include 7 guys, it was USC and ND. 6 was LSU, Mizzou and Clemson.

I would not bet on Barron, Wax or LQA. Some guys are TBD down the line (like Willis, for instance) that I def think could land in the NFL. And I do think we'll keep getting guys in the NFL.

But for this year, I'm betting on OG, McCord and Diggs. I'm sure one or two more guys may get a late round look? But I wouldn't bet on it.

That is not a knock on this team. There is college talent and then there are guys where their talent translates to the NFL. I think we have a lot of college talent that can translate to a lot of wins this year. A lot.

Yep. There will be some games that give guys an opportunity to get some additional looks for sure. Having a few guys that attract scouts helps though too for the fringe players to maybe get more looks than they would have otherwise.

 

[richmondcuse03]

I'm guessing three drafted, five get tryout contracts after. Unclear how many stick. I think we have enough older guys in this class that will get sniffs.

Order:
Oronde, Diggs, McCord
FA
Wilson, Meeks, Barron, Wax, Clark, Petry

 

[shu 49]

I think Mccord, OG, and maybe Spoon if he keeps up what he has been doing first 3 rounds. Williams, Haynze, Wax, Barron, Clark, and maybe Reed if he improves can go 4th to udfa.

 

[721Comstock]

I think Mccord, OG, and maybe Spoon if he keeps up what he has been doing first 3 rounds. Williams, Haynze, Wax, Barron, Clark, and maybe Reed if he improves can go 4th to udfa.

Fadil Diggs has a sadz now.

We tend to waaaay overrate our good players.
Nothing against Barron, Clark, Wax, Reed, etc -
but there are guys as good as them on virtually every decent college team.

I’d say that only OGII, McCord, and Diggs are surefire NFL draft picks after this season.

Spoon? Maybe.

But then that’s prolly it.

Hope to be wrong and pleasantly surprised if more guys make it.
That would likely mean we had an outstanding season.

 

[shu 49]

Fadil Diggs has a sadz now.

We tend to waaaay overrate our good players.
Nothing against Barron, Clark, Wax, Reed, etc -
but there are guys as good as them on virtually every decent college team.

I’d say that only OGII, McCord, and Diggs are surefire NFL draft picks after this season.

Spoon? Maybe.

But then that’s prolly it.

Hope to be wrong and pleasantly surprised if more guys make it.
That would likely mean we had an outstanding season.

U may be right and i think spoon has nfl sizeplus he has great feet. After spring game i was skeptical about him, but he has improved dramatically.

 

[orangepassion]

Think people are sleeping on Pena. After the big 3, he's got as good a chance of sticking in the league as anyone, if he can stay healthy and productive.

 

[richmondcuse03]

Think people are sleeping on Pena. After the big 3, he's got as a chance of sticking in the league as anyone, if he can stay healthy and productive.

you're right, I goofed on him when I was looking at the roster by seniors with eligibility.

Doesn't LQA have another year of eligibility left?

 

[Brian Orange]

Pro Day in the spring will be packed. I can't imagine any NFL team not being there. A QB, DE/LB, etc.